Next Wave and NETS Victoria were thrilled to present Come on the Scene, an exhibition
that presented some dazzling new works by five young regionally-based contemporary
artists from Victoria, Tasmania and Western Australia. Arising from Next Wave’s inaugural
regional program, each artist represented in Come on the Scene developed an ambitious,
large-scale new project, which was included in the 2008 Next Wave Festival. With the
support of NETS Victoria, the artists have now redeveloped their work into a touring
exhibition that takes the works back into regional Australia, to the communities and
towns from which they originated.

Featuring multimedia, sculpture, printmaking, performance, textile and installation works,Come on the Scene examined relationships, identity, communication, mythology and
popular culture. These dynamic works provided a fresh perspective on regional Australia
and the role of art in fostering a new sense of community and connectedness.
Practising as a regional artist in 21st century Australia poses a formidable challenge,
especially to young artists who are often isolated from their peers and immersed in the
complicated process of establishing their artistic practice and figuring out their place
within their community and its specific culture and history. The Come on the Scene
artists tackled these challenges with intelligence, humour, and a critical eye. Their works
reflect a great imaginative depth, in both manifesting ambitious ideas, and in the inspired
processes they have developed to engage with their local communities and contexts.
Importantly, these communities have responded in-kind to engage with each artist’s
work in wildly varied, but always compelling and genuine, ways.

Next Wave and NETS Victoria are committed to nurturing creative practices and innovative
artistic cultures in regional Australia, and we hope that Come on the Scene provided an
opportunity for artists and audiences alike to reflect on the enormous contributions that
artists are making, and continue to make, in regional Australia.

Collaborate /

This exhibition was curated in collaboration with National Exhibition Touring Support Victoria and a partner organisation.

Trevor Flinn, The Puma, the Stranger and the Mountain 2008, still from DVD, Courtesy the artist

Ellen Coyle Foma #2: The All Encompassing Comfort of Religion 2008

Pip Stafford I Wish I Could Show You 2008

interactive multimedia installation, installation view at Horse Bazaar, as part of the 2008 Next Wave Festival, Photographer: Jeremy Dillon, Courtesy the artist and Next Wave

Artist, Pip Stafford 2009

Photographer: Pip Stafford, Courtesy the artist

Artist, Roderick Sprigg 2009

Photographer: Jeremy Dillon, Courtesy the artist and Next Wave

Roderick Sprigg Occasional Tables 2008

installation, digital video and community art, installation view at Craft Victoria, as part of the 2008 Next Wave Festival, Photographer: Jeremy Dillon, Courtesy the artist and Next Wave

Occasional Tables 2008

installation, digital video and community art, installation view at Craft Victoria, as part of the 2008 Next Wave Festival, Photographer: Jeremy Dillon, Courtesy the artist and Next Wave

Artist, Carly Preston 2009

Photographer: Jeremy Dillon, Courtesy the artist and Next Wave

Carly Preston Paper Wall 2008

linocut, installation view, as part of the 2008 Next Wave Festival, Photographer: Jeremy Dillon, Courtesy the artist and Next Wave

Artist, Trevor Flinn 2009

Photographer: Jeremy Dillon, Courtesy the artist and Next Wave

Trevor Flinn The Puma, the Stranger and the Mountain 2008

still from DVD, Courtesy the artist

Trevor Flinn The Meat Eaters Tour Van 2008

from the series The Puma, the Stranger and the Mountain, ecoply, acrylic paint, velvet curtains, installation view at Platform, as part of the 2008 Next Wave Festival, Courtesy the artist and Next Wave